Meghan Lavery makes her mark with dazzling double gold

With a lifelong love of hockey, competitive roots dating back to church league play at the age of ten, the golden run of Meghan Lavery represents one of the feel-good stories of USA Ball Hockey. Bringing a breadth of experience to the national team, excelling in roller hockey, 2016 represented her introduction to ball hockey. Invited by a roller teammate to play for her club team, it marked the springboard towards a pair of ISBHF gold medals and a silver.

As one of the hallmarks of ball hockey encompasses a sense of community, a quality quickly noticed by Lavery, a unique linkage emerged. Calling Long Island home, her gold medal experiences made her part of a shared legacy, bringing significant star power to the Big Apple.

In storybook fashion, both of Lavery’s gold medal experiences for USA Ball Hockey involve a proud New York connection. From the outset, her international debut at the 2022 ISBHF Masters included the opportunity to call Cherie Stewart a teammate. Having also played professional ice hockey for the New York (Metropolitan) Riveters in their inaugural season, Stewart is working towards a new legacy.

Among the key leaders for Women’s Ball Hockey NYC (WBHNYC), Stewart is continuing to expand on her body of work. Running parallel, Lavery is among the celebrated figures of Long Island Ball Hockey, their dual efforts raising awareness of the sport. Among Lavery’s ambitions, amalgamating the talents from NYC and Long Island, establishing an elite division, holds the potential to serve as a watershed moment for the game locally.

Equally notable in the conversation of ball hockey stars from NYC, Emma Seitz represents the future for the national team. First encountering Emma Seitz at a USA Ball Hockey training camp, it marked a positive impression for Lavery. Although Seitz, who recently finished her rookie season of pro hockey in Sweden, was among the younger players on the US roster, she found a kindred spirit. Recognizing the characteristics that only another New Yorker could identify, such a pleasant surprise proved enjoyable, another instance whereby the tremendous NYC trio of Lavery, Seitz and Stewart are intertwined in ball hockey lore.

“Though I knew who Cherie was, we were not formally introduced until the 2022 tryouts. I had no idea she was New York (NYC) based, so it was an additional bonus when she introduced me to her NYC crew (WBHNYC). A goal of mine is to merge the NYC and Long Island hockey players to create a NY women’s tier. 

I met Emma in DC at the last camp before worlds. You could tell right away she was NY. She had that swagger that only another New Yorker could recognize. Watching her play was a freakin’ delight. I hope she has a long hockey career which includes more ball hockey with Team USA.”

Lavery’s first experience calling Seitz a teammate proved both fulfilling and rewarding. Crossing the Atlantic, participating in the 2024 ISBHF World Championships in Visp, Switzerland, the event marked a significant milestone for all involved with USA Ball Hockey. To paraphrase Ace Frehley, Seitz was in a “New York Groove”. Finishing as Team USA’s leading scorer, Seitz also scored the game-winning goal in the gold medal game versus Czechia, providing the program with its first-ever ISBHF World Championship.

Following a thrilling victory against Canada in the semi-finals, the sense of unity certainly set the tone for the team. Recounting the excitement heading into the gold medal game, an understandable sense of self-assuredness among its talented roster, the most important factor for Lavery encompassed a significant focus. Whether it be the preparation of the coaching staff or the synergy of the roster, the US entered the gold medal game with a clear sense of purpose.

“Emotions were running high on game day. We certainly had a lot of confidence heading into the final, since we had the entire day to hype each other up. Of course, it was more than that. The coaches laid out a game plan, every player was on the same page and we all had the same, singular goal in mind. We were hyper focused on leaving that rink with the gold.” 

Beyond the excitement of defeating Czechia by a 3-0 mark in the final, the majestic mountain views of the Swiss Alps represented a significant part of the experience. While the mountains filled the background with breathtaking scenery, perched as sentinels, overlooking the picturesque villages and flower beds, Lavery recounts how such sights allowed for tranquility and appreciation.

“Our rink commutes were honestly a highlight for me. We would take a team bus to the train and then either a walk through a field of wildflowers or through a small, scenic town to get to the rinks which were all surrounded by the Swiss Alps.

Traveling in groups can be a challenge but, for us, it was always what we needed it to be: fun and relaxing. Yet, also a time to focus on the task ahead. We always stuck together and I saw it as a reflection of the beauty of both this team and of Switzerland.”

With the splendour of an exceptional team culture and the impetus to reach unprecedented heights, the legacy of the gold medal enhanced a compelling narrative for Lavery. From the outset, she enjoyed the opportunity to participate in ISBHF tournaments for three consecutive years. Competing in the 2022 and 2023 Masters, followed by the 2024 ISBHF Worlds, the journey provided a compelling linkage to another special achievement. As a side note, Lavery also wore the purple jersey of London Norstar back in 2018, winning the 22nd anniversary of the World Outdoor Ball Hockey Championship.

Adding lustre to Lavery’s brilliant ball hockey career brings her membership in a fascinating and empowering club. Among four fantastic women that have enjoyed the jubilation of the gold medal at the Masters and ISBHF Worlds for USA Ball Hockey, it adds another level of prestige for the program. Joining Lavery in this celebrated group of golden girls includes Pam Bilger, who served as team captain for the US at the Masters, former field hockey great Kat Helling and Karen Levin, who scored the golden goal of 2022.

Coincidentally, all four not only achieved double gold as teammates in both events (2022 Masters, 2024 ISBHF Worlds), all have ties to the Northeastern US. Akin to Lavery, Helling also resides in New York State. Bilger holds standing as one of the all-time ball hockey greats from Pennsylvania, while Levin calls Massachusetts her home state. While the double gold has propelled all four fantastic women into rarified air, the friendship and high regard between them may be the most rewarding aspect, an exceptional point of pride to be cherished for a gracious Lavery.

“Kat, Pam and Karen are so extraordinary on and off the rink. I know I am blessed by the hockey gods each and every time we get to play together. Plus, it is even more meaningful when we do it wearing the red, white and blue.

Our Masters gold medal team was something truly special and the whole team would agree that there was some kind of magic there. I like to think we brought a little of that over to Switzerland with us. I am beyond proud to share this accomplishment with them.”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”